By Bavoriat Clara
Troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in collaboration with Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe and a tracker team from the Delta State Government House, Asaba, have recorded major victories against criminal elements in Delta State, neutralizing three kidnappers and rescuing two victims in separate operations.
In a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade Asaba, Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau, the first operation was launched following credible intelligence that kidnappers were operating around Issele-Uku axis in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
The criminals, who had earlier collected ransom from their victims’ families, were tracked to their camp in the dense Otulu Forest.A fierce firefight ensued, lasting over 30 minutes, during which troops overpowered the kidnappers, neutralizing three of them. Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a cutlass, four mobile phones, a charger, power bank, a pack of Benson cigarettes, and the sum of N2,336,000 abandoned by the criminals.
One soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the leg while the rescued female victim also bore injuries inflicted by her abductors. Both were immediately evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where they are receiving treatment and are reported to be in stable condition.
The corpses of the neutralized kidnappers have been handed over to the Keystone Police Station, Ogwashi-Uku, for further action.In a related development, troops of the 63 Brigade, working in conjunction with Operation Delta Sweep, successfully foiled another kidnap attempt on 17 August 2025 in Ekrodo-Jesse community, Ethiope West Local Government Area.
Acting on a distress call, the soldiers stormed the location, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victim and flee into the forest. Although a hot pursuit was launched for over six kilometres, no contact was made. However, a subsequent cordon-and-search operation led to the recovery of an unserviceable dane gun.
The rescued victim, identified as 25-year-old Saviour Okiemute, has since been reunited with his family.
Commending the gallant efforts of the troops, the Commander 63 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force OPDS, Brigadier General M. A. Shonibare, assured residents of Delta State that the Army remains fully committed to dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace and security in the region.
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